Piccolo Spoleto to Feature Artist on Fire's PassingNotion?

CHARLESTON, SC – May 18, 2010 – Could there be more than meets the eye to the things we see and the experiences we encounter? Dating back from Moses’ encounter at the burning bush to current day events people have attributed important discoveries, disasters avoided, and decisions they have made, that have not only impacted their own destinies but the lives of many others, to communication from a source outside themselves.

During the internationally acclaimed Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Artist on Fire will present “Passing Notion?”, a multi-media exhibit that explores the way God may be speaking to us today through moments in our everyday lives. Works including photography, film, installation art, live music, sculpture, live art, landscape art, and painting by more than 12 artists search out the unusual and extraordinary messages that catch our attention as we walk through life. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

In accordance with the vision of Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr., Piccolo Spoleto, under the direction of Ellen Dressler Moryl, was designed and launched in 1979 by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs together with a group of volunteers from the Charleston arts community. Piccolo Spoleto prides itself in providing access to the Spoleto Festival USA experience for everyone, regardless of their economic, social or physical circumstances as well as for excellent local and regional artists, writers and performers to be showcased.

The enthusiasm and energy exerted by the wonderful young coordinators of this project was so infectious. Young and idealistic, the co-founders of Artist on Fire are convinced that the creative output of the participating artists in Passing Notion? will unfailingly touch their audiences with all the wonder and the beauty of the arts, says Director Moryl.

This show will appeal to such a wide audience, expresses Artist on Fire co-founder and participating artist Alex Radin, because it taps into something that I think we all have felt at some time or another––that there are other layers to the things we see, hear, feel and experience.

Hello – from Passing Notion? by Alex Radin www.truthillustrations.com

Featured artists include painters Alex Radin of Hanahan and Amelia (Mimi) Whaley of Mount Pleasant; photographers Mahmood Fazal of Mount Pleasant, Kimberly (Kimmie) Krauk of Charleston, Carson (Kip) Bulwinkle of North Charleston and Ginger Christy of Atlanta; poet Sara Radin of Hanahan; sculptor Pamela Crout of North Charleston; film producers Douglas Fotia of Charleston, Larry Spann of New York City, and Karen DeLoach of Summerville; installation artist Beverly Currin of Charleston; and landscape architects J.R. and Holly Kramer of Remark Studio in North Charleston.

The visual artists will be accompanied by over 15 live art performers and 20 plus musicians playing original compositions and arrangements throughout the entire 17 days of the show. Opening night will

feature two ensemble groups and soloists: Drew, Gabby, and Hannah Hadley on guitar, didgeridoo, djembe, keyboard and harmonica and Trey Truluck, Jer DeLoach, Emily Richardson, and Kent McAvoy playing acoustic guitar, Native American wooden flutes, hand drums, and electric guitar and Vicki Marsi playing violin and Pam Dickson on flute.

It is an honor to be accepted as one of the visual arts events on this year’s Piccolo Spoleto agenda, states Artist on Fire co-founder Sara Radin. We are looking forward to our first time participating in such an applauded festival and sharing excellent art from artists who have proven themselves to be not only skilled and talented in their work, but also thought-provoking and genuine in their individual expressions.

Artist on Fire is an organization founded by Alex and Sara Radin with a mission of seeing and providing more opportunities for artists to fully express themselves in order to be a voice of positivity and change through the creative arts. Our goal, says Alex, is to inspire people to dream, to see the beauty that is around them and to be a voice of hope, truth and life in this world.

We are so thankful and excited that so many businesses have partnered with us in helping to fulfill the vision for this show, comments Sara Radin. It will be an experience that art lovers and appreciators won’t want to miss and a wonderful opportunity to introduce friends and family to the world of art.

Sponsors for Passing Notion? include Artist & Craftsman Supply, Carolina Flag & Banner, Fast Frame of Mt. Pleasant, Kim Wallin–composer & pianist, Mannie Schumpert, Mood Photography, Royall Ace Hardware, and Healthy Home Foods who will be providing the catering for the opening night artist reception.

From May 28 through June 13, the Piccolo Spoleto “Passing Notion?” exhibit will be located at Citadel Square Baptist Church, 328 Meeting Street, in the chapel off Henrietta Street, and on the third floor. Exhibit hours are as scheduled: Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Members of the public will be able to meet the artists during the opening night reception on May 28 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and throughout the 17 days of the festival as they are available.

All original artwork and prints will be available for sale, as well as CDs and DVDs from musicians and film producers who participate in the show.

For more information about the Passing Notion? show as well as other Artist on Fire events, visit their website at www.artistonfire.com or contact Alex or Sara Radin at (843) 270-3137.

Piccolo Spoleto

Produced and directed by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs since 1979, Piccolo Spoleto is the official outreach program of Spoleto Festival USA. Piccolo’s mission is to provide access to the Spoleto Festival USA experience for everyone, regardless of their economic, social or physical circumstances and to provide the opportunity for excellent local and regional artists, writers and performers to be showcased in the Piccolo Spoleto Festival venues. Piccolo Spoleto receives support from the City of Charleston, County of Charleston, South Carolina Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Title sponsors of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival are Publix and Publix Super Markets Charities.